Various Artists-The Prog Collective-Epilogue

Eight “progressive” tracks on two records from 2014. 24 musicians contributing to this record from 70’s Progressive bands like Yes, King Crimson, Gentle Giant, Nektar, Gong, Hawkwind and Curved Air. This could have been called a Billy Sherwood solo record. Sherwood, a member of Yes’s later line-ups, wrote all the songs and plays at least one instrument such as drums, bass, keyboards, and guitar plus background vocals on every track. All the tracks are in the 7 minute range except “Just Another Day” which is 9 minutes. These songs are just OK. Too much singing and not enough instrumentation to be called Progressive in my opinion. I guess the two best are “Are We To Believe” Guitar by Steve Hilage, sax and flute by Mel Collins and keyboards by Rick Wakeman. Three great musicians, wish they could have jammed a bit. Vocals are by Colin Moulding from XTC, hardly a Progressive band. “Just Another Day’ features acoustic and electric guitar from Gary Green of Gentle Giant, keyboards from Tony Kaye and vocals from Sherwood. The only track I would really call Progressive. This Prog Collective led by Sherwood has a couple more records out but I will not buy them.

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